Ice-cubing apparatus



Oct. 1, 1940- o. scHwlMMl-:R l 2,216,604

ICE- CUBING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 6. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet l .'ulg I3 e S 14/ Q Y n f 'I u '5\ '5) il?, 4 Q .|4-

NVENTO Oscar Schwimmer BY/faamw ATTORNEY.

Oct. l, 194.0. QA SCHWlMMER 2,216,604

ICE- CUBING APPARATUS Filed Nov, 6, 193'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Oscar Schwrnmer BY @may ATTORNEY.

Oct.. l, 1940.

O'. SCHWIMMER ICE-CUBING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 6, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A #Afa n INVENTOR. Oscar* Schwimmer,

By/lzw ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 1, 1940 Miri' STAS einer orties 25 Claims,

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for cutting ice-blocks into smaller cubes by means of electrically heated wires.

rlhe principalobject of my invention is the provision of an improved grid-frame structure wherein the ice-cutting wires are individually supported, adjusted and tensioned.

An especial object of my invention is to provide a grid-frame having bars or rods mounted in parallel upon opposite sides thereof upon which terminal blocks securing the opposite ends of each wire are adjustable longitudinally of the bars for spacing the wires, said blocks including tensioning means or devices for each wire individually.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for simultaneously and evenly spacing the wire-terminal blocks along their supporting bars to readily eiect changes in size of ice-cubes cut thereby.

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision or" means for mounting the foremost or vertical grid-frame in the supporting structure for yieldingly adjustable angular movements with respect to the chute upon which the ice-block moves so that any inclination oi the advance wire-contacting surface of the ice-block may be accommodated and that said advance surface will contact evenly against the wires.

Other objects and advantagesI residing in my invention, and objects relating to variations and details of construction thereof will be fully set forth in the detailed description toV follow.

The accompanying drawings illustrate by way of example representative forms of my invention, in which:

Figure l is a plan view oi a frame of the doublegrid type embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale, partly in elevation and partly in crosssection, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the opposite irame-members and wire-supporting mechanism of the type shown in the preceding views, said mechanism being shown partly in section.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view in longitudinal section of a wire-terminal tensioning element as shown in the preceding views. l

Fig. 5 is a view in cross-section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

6 is a perspective View of the terminal elements upon opposite ends of the ice-cutting Wires as illustrated in the foregoing views. f

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view partly in plan and partly in section illustrating an alternative means for adjustably spacing the ice-cutting Wires in unison.

Fig, 8 is a partial plan View of an ice-cutting grid-frame showing a modiiied form of wire-supporting and tensioning elements mounted there- Fig. 9 is a view in cross-section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

' Fig. 10 is a View in side elevation, partly broken away, of a wire-supporting element as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of Fig. 10. Y y

Fig. 12 is a view in longitudinal section of the upper portion of an ice-cutting structure illustrating improved means of mounting the vertical cutting-grids therein.

Fig, 13 is a View in vertical section taken lon line I3-l3 of Fig. 12.

The plan of construction and mode of operation of the type of ice-cubing machines to which the present invention pertains is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 in which the reference numeral i indicates an inclined chute upon which a block A of ice may move by 'its gravity against a substantially vertical grid -2 having a single set or series of horizontally spaced wires 3 electrically heated to cut their Way into the ice-block and thus form the same into slabs as it passes therethrough. Whenvfully severed into slabs the ice moves still by its gravity upon a horizontally disposed grid 5 having two series or sets oi electrically heated wires, 6 and 1, spaced apart and directed at right angles to each other, supporting the ice-slabs and adapted to melt thereinto until the ice-slabs are severed in turn into ice-cubes of dimensions determined by the spacing of the wires. l

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the rectangular frame of the grid 5 is formed of oppositely disposed channel-bars 8 of sheet-metalsupporting the wires t, and similarly formed and disposed channel-bars 8 supporting the cross-wires 1. Said bars are rigidly connected at their eX- tremities with the bars superposed upon the bars S and each having an outer flange l0 extend-- ing over and closing the ends of the bars 9. A sheet .Il of insulating material, such as Bakelite, is secured to the upper surfaces of the frame bars 8 and 9. Thus upon said upper surfaces of the frame-bars suitable bases for the support of the two series of cross-wires 6 and 1 are respectively provided at proper distances apart for the separation of said two wire circuits.

Considering either series of Wires 3, 6 and l in detail, they are formed of suitable high-resistance `vvire to provide 4the heat or radiant energy required to melt through the ice coming in contact therewith, and are adjustably connected through terminal-blocks to be hereinafter described mounted in said frames upon relatively rigid metal rods I2 supported in brackets I3 secured rigidly upon said dielectric sheets II and the respective bars 8 or 9, or upon opposite framemembers of the grid 2. Said rods as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 are rigidly secured in the brackets I3 by set screws I4 at one end. A tubular sheath I5 of insulating material is provided about said rods extending therealong between the brackets I3.

Individual terminal-blocks are adjustably mounted upon said rods to which the opposite ends of the grid-wires of the respective series 3, 6 or 1 are connected. The blocks I6 mounted upon one rod of each pair are formed of bronze or similar electrical conductive material each having a transverse bore I1 to receive the rod with its enveloping sheath I5 therein and with a fiat underside I8 to slide upon the insulating sheet Il. A wire-binding screw 2l] is screwthreaded in the inner upper edge of the block about which a looped end of the respective Wire is connected and secured. One of said terminalblocks I6 is provided with an additional bindingscrew 2I to which a circuit-wire 22 leading from a source of electrical energy, not shown, is connected.

Coil-springs 23 of substantially equal form and tension are mounted about the rod I2 and interposed between the blocks I5 under compression and for the purpose of separating them at equal distances apart. The outermost block I6 upon one end may abut upon a set-collar 25 secured to the rod while at the opposite end the block I6 is engaged by a sleeve 26 extending through the proximate bracket I3 and about the extremity of the rod which is formed with screw-threads, as at 21, and provided with a nut 28 bearing upon the sleeve and thence upon the outermost block I6.

It will thus be seen that the even separation of the blocks I6 may be accomplished by the manipulation of the nut 28 and through the interaction of the springs 23 thereon the blocks I6 may be adjusted evenly along the rod. The oppositely disposed rod I2 of each pair is similarly mounted and equipped for connection with the opposite ends of the grid-wires, excepting that the termi-V nal-blocks 3! thereon are of especial construction for the purpose of exerting a proper degree of tension upon the wires.

The blocks 3i) are not directly connected to the rod I2 but are formed with a horizontal recess 3l open at its inner end to receive the rod. A U-shaped yoke 32 extends at its two arms 33 about and in sliding engagement with the side walls of the block and is perforated with aligned apertures 34 to receive the rod therethrough. The rear walls 35 and 36 of the block and yoke, respectively, are spaced apart and an adjusting screw 31 extends through an aperture in the latter and is screw-threaded in the wall 35 of the block. A coil-spring 38 is interposed between the head of said screw and the wall 36 of the yoke whereby a predetermined amount of tension may be applied upon the block and grid-wire attached thereto by threading the screw 31 in or out of the block 36. The respective grid-wire is secured beneath a binding-screw 46 in the block.

It will be understood that the individual gridwires are each provided with a pair of terminal blocks I6 and 30 at its ends and that one of these is adapted to exert a predetermined amount of tension upon the wire. The current conducted to the block I6' through the circuit-wire 22 is directed to pass over the grid-wire connecting it with the opposing block 30 by washers 4I of dielectric material interposed between the adjacent coil-spring 23 and the block. Conversely the opposite spring 23' between the two outermost blocks 30 is unprovided with such insulation so that the current does pass through such spring into the second block 30 and thence across the connected grid-wire to the second block I6. This block is insulated from the block I6' as described by the washers 4I but not from the third block in line therewith and so the current is permitted to pass to the third grid-wire and so on as the current is caused to iiow through the resistance wires 3, 6 or 1 in connected series to the opposite terminal 42 of the circuit connected to a bindingscrew 43 on the outermost terminal-block 36.

To provide that certain grid-wires, the last in the respective series, may be removed from the circuit all of the terminal blocks 38 are formed with screw-threaded holes 45 into which the binding-screw 43 may be threaded and the terminal wire 42 connected thereto thus cutting out the outer grid-wires undesired in the circuit.

The construction of the grid-frame shown in Fig. 2 provides two elevations for the support of the rods I2 and a suiicient separation of the grid-wires of the two series of grids arranged at right angles from each other. As the double grid thus formed lies in a horizontal plane a rectangular sheet-metal cover 46 is secured at its outer perimeter to the upper frame-bars 8 and is shaped to extend upwardly and inwardly, as at 41, to cover the terminal-blocks and to slope inwardly to drain therefrom all melted ice or water.

I have described means through which all of the terminal-blocks I6 upon a rod I2 may be adjusted evenly apart simultaneously and in Fig. 7 I have illustrated additional means whereby the blocks upon both rods may be similarly adjusted at one time and whereby `the grid-wires are at all times maintained in parallel. Such devices comprise sprocket-wheels 48 having internally screw-threaded hubs engageable with the screwthreads 21 of the rods and taking the place of the nuts 28, and about which an endless sprocketchain 50 is engaged and through which the terminal-blocks upon the opposite rods of each grid may be actuated in unison to separate or approach each other in a well understood manner.

In Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, I have shown a somewhat modified form of my invention as applied to a single grid-frame, that is to say, having gridwires extending in but one direction as exemplied at 2 in Fig. 12, although it will be understood that the same is applicable to a double grid with equal effect in the same manner that the gridstructure previously described may be utilized in a single-grid.

In the present instance the grid-frame is composed of rectangular members in a single plane and the rods I2 are Amounted thereon in substantially the same manner excepting that they are mounted in the brackets I3 to allow for at least partial rotation, or they may be alternatively secured, as by the set screws I4. 'Ihe resistance grid-wires 3 are connected at their opposite ends to terminal-blocks 5I of distinctive construction consisting of a body 52 pierced by a bore 53 to receive the rod I2 and sheath I5. A horizontal oiTset or ear 55 extends outwardly from the upper portion of said body and is spaced from the CII frame-surface upon which the body `is in contact. Saidear is horizontally severed, as in 56, into the bore '53 and a circular aperture 51 is extended vertically therethrough, the aperture in the lower ear-portion being screw-threaded while the upper portion is counterbored to receive a binding-screw 58 which is threaded into said lower ear-portion. i

Said terminal-blocks, best seen in Figs. and l-l, are mounted in equal number on the rods l2, as shown in Fig. 8, with their ear-oilsets` 55 extending outwardly. Grid-wires `i are engaged b-y their terminal loops about the binding-screws 53 at their opposite ends. With the set-screws Ill holding the rods firmly the operator will tighten all of the blocks upon one rod in turn while siy multaneously clamping the binding-screws 58 upon the Wire by pressing down with a screwdriver in the normal manner upon the screw thus closing the gap in the ear to an extent to clamp the rod and secure the wire at one operation.

With all of the terminal-blocks upon one rod thus secured, those upon the opposite rod may be similarly secured excepting that in the latter case the pressure downward upon the screws 5G is measured in intensity to effect the desired degree of tension upon the several wires as the ofiset relation of the ears causes them to serve as a lever to effect the partial rotation of the block upon the rod prior to its being secured thereto by the turning of the screw, thus tensioning the wires to the desired extent and securing them in such regulated condition at practically one operation.

With the wires thus 4evenly tensioned the same may be yretained in such condition by the permanent securernent of the rods by the set-screws iii, or, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, said screws may be loosened and further tension applied thereon through the levers 6I! rigidly secured to the ends of the rods l2, which may extend downwardly at diverging angles through the lateral frame-bars Si and to whose lower ends the ends of coil-springs 82 are respectively connected, thus maintaining a constant common pressure constraining the wire at all times and compensating for any slackness that may occur from their extension or expansion in longitudinal directions when heated.

The lower surfaces of the blocks 5i are formed inwardly of a vertical line extended axially through the rod l2 in planes parallel and normally in contact with the ydielectric sheet Il. Such plane surface in contacting relation with the Sheet ii prevents the rotation of the respective block in the direction to relieve the tension upon the wire S. Upon the outer, opposite side of said axial line the lower surface of the block is rounded concentrically withthe rod, as at im, so that the block may be'partially rotated upon or with. the rod in the direction to tighten the wire 3. The upper surface oi the block diagonally of the surface 8@ is similarly round-ed concentrically of the rod, as at Si, so that in the rotation of the block to tighten the wire the level of the wire will not be changed and that no projecting portion. of the block may weaken the wire.

The several `wires 3 of the grid shown in Fig. 8 are connected in series through the use of ilexible braided wire conductors 63 allowing of the setting of the terminal blocks at desired intervals.

In Figs. l2 and 13 I have illustrated means for mounting the vertical grid-frame 2 to more efficiently perform its cutting operations, and particularly to accommodate the inclination of the vertical grid 2 to the varying inclinations of the ice surfaces presented thereto by the ice-block A so=that all of the heated wires therein will bear evenly thereon while the block is being cut into slabs.

` Ice 4is usually manufactured in three hundred pound cakes having slightly taperedsides to aid in the removal of the cake from the cans in which the water is frozen. Such taper may vary in diierent ice-making establishments but is usually about two degrees from the major axis of the ice-cake. Thus in dividing the ice into smaller block there are at all times at least two adjoining sides that are smooth and which may be inclined from said axial line. One of these smooth sides, as 65, in the block A is laid upon the chute I and another smooth side 66 is presented to the grid-'frame 2. The side lkmay thus vary from the planeof the side 65 and the chute l as much as four degrees in inclination.

'To ensure that the side G6 loi the ice-clock 4encounters the cutting wires of the grid-'frame evenly I pivot the frame 2 at its lower end either upon pins, not shown, extending into the lower frame-members from'the side of the machinestructure, or, as shown, by forming rounded extensions S'l on the lower end ci the grid-frame and supporting such extensions in suitably formed saddle-blocks d3 whereby the frame may pivot at its lower end therein. At the top of` the machine I have mounted a pair of coilsprings lil borne on. studs ii in an angle-member l2 of the machine-frame, said springs bearing at their forward 4ends upon the upper cross-member of the grid-frame 2 and urging the frame towards or upon a vertical angle-member '13. The angular divergence between themembers l2 and 'i3 is approximately four degrees so that in the engagement of the ice-block A with the gridframe the llatter may move rearwardly at its upper end against the yielding pressure of the springs l! until all Vof the cutting wires bear evenly upon the front surface 66 of the ice-block, and hence the cutting operations of all of the wires upon the block will begin and end at substantially the same time.

A desirable effect accomplished by the adjustabilityof the individual wires in the grid-frames is that the cutting of prismatic ice-sticks of other than of strictly cubic configuration and of any desired dimensions may be readily provided for and with but minor adjustments of the wires. Thus the end wires, one or more, of any series but preferably of the upper series i3 in the double grid, may be moved to the extreme limits of the grid-opening to remove them from Contact with the ice-cakes, and the intermediate wires may be re-set to divide the space occupied by the icecakes evenly, thereby causing ie dimensions of the resultant ice-sticks to be of oblong form of any desired proportions'to meet the needs of the user.

Having described my invention, what I claim` l. In ice-cubingapparatus, a frame, a pair of rods secured upon opposite sides oi said frame, a plurality of wire-terminals, means mounted slidably on each said rod to carry said wire-terminals individually movable axially on said rods respectively relative to one another, and. electricalresistance wires connected at their opposite ends respectively to said last named means.

2. Ice-cubing apparatus, consisting of a frame, a pair of rods rigidly mounted in parallel relation upon opposite sides of said frame, a plur'ality of wire-terminal blocks on vsaid rods, means to move said blocks, respectively, in directions parallel to the axis of said rods, electricalresistance wires connected at their ends to oppositely disposed of said blocks, and means to adjust said blocks upon said rods in evenly spaced relation.

3. Ice-cubing apparatus, consisting of a frame, a pair of rods mounted in parallel relation upon opposite sides of said frame, a plurality of wireterminal blocks slidably mounted on said rods, electrical-resistance wires connected at their ends to oppositely disposed of said blocks, and springs interposed under variable tension between said blocks to adjust said blocks in evenly spaced relation.

4. Ice-cubing apparatus, consisting of a frame,

a pair of rods mounted in parallel relation upon opposite sides of said frame, a plurality of wireterminal blocks slidably mounted on said rods, electrical-resistance wires connected at their opposite'ends to said blocks and extending across said frame, and springs interposed under variable tension between said blocks to adjust said blocks in evenly spaced relation, certain of said springs in alternately opposite relation being in electrical Acontact with the respective blocks to con-duct the electrical current in alternately opposite directions through said wires.

5. In ice-cubing apparatus, a frame, a rod mounted in said frame, a plurality of wire-terminal blocks slidably mounted on said rod, coilsprings mounted on said rod and interposed between said blocks, and block-adjusting means bearing upon an end one of said blocks for shifting the same in opposition to said springs and whereby all or" said blocks on said rod may be evenly spaced thereon.

6. In ice-cubing apparatus, a frame, a rod mounted in said frame having screw-threads upon one end, a plurality of wire-terminal blocks slidable on said rod, coil-springs mounted on said rod and interposed under tension between said blocks, and a nut threaded on said rod and arranged to shift the outer one of said blocks and thereby through the reaction of said springs readjust all of said blocks evenly along said rod.

'7. In ice-cubing apparatus, a frame, a pair of rods mounted upon opposite sides of said frame having screw-threads upon one end, a plurality of wire-terminal 4blocks slidably mounted on said rods, electrical-resistance wiresy connected at their opposite ends to said blocks and extending across said frame, springs interposed under tension between said blocks, nuts threaded on said rods and bearing on the outer ones of said blocks to vary the space evenly between the said blocks upon a rod through the reaction of the springs therebetween, and means to actuate said nuts in unison.

8. Ice-cubing apparatus, consisting of a frame, a pair of rods mounted upon opposite sides of said fram-e, a plurality of wire-terminal blocks connected to each said r'od and individually movable longitudinally of said rods, an electrical-resistance wire connected to each said block at one end and to a corresponding block at its opposite end and extending across said frame in parallel relation, one of each said pair of wireconnected blocks being provided with means to exert and vary the tension upon the respective wire.

9. Ice-cubing apparatus, comprising a frame, a wire-terminal block slidably mounted for 1ongitudinal movements on said frame having an Aend of an electrical-resistance Wire connected thereto, a yoke slidably engaged with said block and connected to said frame, means insulating said yoke from said frame, an adjustment-screw extending through said yoke and threaded into said block, and a spring interposed between said yoke and the head of said screw to apply yielding tension upon the resistance-wire.

10. Ice-cubing apparatus, comprising a frame, a Wire-terminal block mounted for longitudinal and lateral movements on said frame and having an end of an electrical-resistance wire connected thereto, a yoke engaged with said block for relative longitudinal movements and connected with said frame for lateral movements thereon, an adjustment-screw extending through said yoke and threaded into said block, and a spring interposed between said yoke and the head of said screw to apply yielding tension upon the resistance-wire.

1l. In ice-cubing apparatus, a wire-terminal block comprising a body having a transverse bore adapted to receive a rod therethrough for rotary and lateral movements thereon, an offset extending from said body having an incision extending into said bore, means for attaching a wire to said block, and a screw arranged t0 close said incision and clamp the body upon said rod at adjusted rotary positions, and means to limit the rotary movements of said block upon the rod to one direction only.

12. In ice-cubing apparatus, a frame, a pair of rods rotatably mounted upon opposite sides of said frame, a plurality of wire-terminal blocks rigidly mounted on said rods at adjusted positions, electrical-resistance wires connected at their opposite ends to the several blocks and extending in parallel relation across the frame, a lever connected upon an end of each said rod, and a spring connected at its opposite ends to said levers tending to rotate said rods in opposite directions to apply tension upon all of said wires simultaneously.

13. Ice cubing apparatus, lconsisting of a rectangular frame, a pair of rods mounted upon opposite sides of said frame, wire-terminal b-locks acljustably mounted along said rods, electrical-resistance wires connected at their opposite ends to the several blocks in parallel relation across the frame, means to adjust the spaces t between said blocks upon said rods, and means to individually adjust the tension upon each said wire.

14. In ice-cubing apparatus, a grid-frame adjustably mounted to swing at its upper end in an arc approximately two degrees upon each side of a line drawn perpendicularly to the plane upon which the ice-block moves thereagainst, and spring-pressed means to yieldingly maintain said grid-frame at its foremost position.

15. Ice-cubing apparatus, consisting in combinatio-n with a machine-frame having an inclined ice-chute upon which an ice-block is caused to move against an ice-severing gridframe, said grid-frame, means to admit of arcuate movements of said grid-frame, stops limiting the movements of said grid-frame to an arc extending for a limited distance upon each side of a line perpendicular to the plane of said ice-chute, and a spring tending to yieldingly maintain said grid-frame against the forward of said stops.

16. In ice-cubing apparatus, a frame, a plurality of wire-terminal blocks mounted for' adjustable lateral movements upon opposite sides of said frame to vary the separative distances therebetween, electric-resistance wires connected at opposite ends to said blocks, respectively, and flexible connections between adja` .cent terminal blocks in alternately opposite relation to provide an electrical circuit through said Wires in series. v

17. In ice-cubing apparatus, a stationary frame, a pair of wire-terminals, means to mount said terminals movable in two straight line directions relative to the frame at opposite sides of the frame, respectively and lan electrical-resistance Wire connected at its opposite ends to said terminals.

18. Ice-cubing apparatus, consisting. in a frame, a plurality of wire-terminal blocks adjustably mounted upon opposite sides of said frame to vary the extent of their separation, electrical-resistance wires connected at opposite ends to aligned pairs of said blocks, respectively, located at opposite sides of the frame, and electrical conductors connecting the blocks of alternate pairs thereof uponveach side of the frame respectively, said last-named pairs of blocks at opposite sides of the frame being staggered relative to each other.

19. In ice-cubing apparatus, a frame, a pair of rods secured upon opposite sides of said frame, a pair of wire-terminal blocks slidable on each Isaid rod, means including a resilient element to maintain said blocks. in predetermined locations on said rods, respectively, electrical-resistance wires connected at their opposite ends to said blocks and extending across said frame, and means to adjust the tension of each said wire individually.

20. In ice-cubing apparatus, a frame, a pair of rods secured upon opposite sides of said frame, a plurality of Wire-terminal blocks disposed and axially movable on each said rod, means to fix said blocks in a predetermined position on said rods, respectively, electrical-resistance wires extending across said frame and` connected at their opposite ends to said blocks, and means to adjust the tension of each said wire individually.

21. In ice-cubing apparatus, the combination of a grid-frame having a plane upper surface, a `cylindrical rod mounted on said frame in parallel with its said surface, a wire-terminal block as set forth in claim 21, and wherein the block is formed intermediate the offset extension and said plane lower surface with a rounded portion substantially concentric with the bore.

23. In ice-cubing apparatus, the combination as set-forth in claim 21, and wherein the block is formed intermediate the offset extension and said plane lower surface with a rounded portion substantially concentric with said bore, and a further rounded portion is formed on said block diagonally opposite said first named roundedt portion and substantially concentric with said bore.

24. Ice cubing `apparatus comprising a frame,

means to support said frame in a horizontal po-.

sition, terminals mounted on two opposite sides of said frame, electrical resistance wires connecting terminals at opposite sides of the frame, and a guide hood overhanging said terminals sloping inwardly and downwardly to center an ice block in said frame and position the block on said Wires.

25. Ice cubing apparatus comprising a frame, means to support said frame in a horizontal position, terminals mounted on two opposite sides of sa-idframe, electrical resistance lwires connecting terminals at opposite sides of the frame, and a hood overhanging said terminals sloping inwardly and downwardly to direct water melted from an ice block moved thereon through the frame.

OSCAR SCHWIMMZER. 

